God’s Word Forgotten

“God’s Word Forgotten” serves as a sober reminder from 2 Kings that ignoring Scripture does not remove its authority, and rediscovering God’s Word can awaken hearts and lives again.

“Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, ‘I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD’” (2 Kings 22:8).

From the time of their forefather Abraham, God had been in the center of Israel’s national life. Yet by the time of King Josiah, His Word was completely forgotten … until Hilkiah the high priest found the Word—by accident.

As Hilkiah and others began to read “the Book of the Law,” they discovered what happens when His Word is forgotten. Its principles remain true. And even if we don’t know the Word, we will still suffer the consequences of ignoring its teachings.

In our time, we see the impact of this ignorance all around us in the lives of people who’ve never read the Bible, don’t know its promises, or don’t believe it to be true. But we also see this in the lives of people who, at one time, were taught the Word, who might have been raised in a Christian home or attended church in their youth, but who now focus on the world and have forgotten or no longer believe the Word.

Some may have believed at one time, but they fall away “when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word.” Others may have allowed worries and “the deceitfulness of riches [to] choke the word” (Matthew 13:19–22).

These things can happen to any of us if we forget God’s Word. Fill your mind and heart with God’s promises. Know and believe the Word. Live according to His principles.

Reflection Question: Where might God’s Word be slipping from your daily life?